Trunk-follower



(No Model.)

T. W. ADAMS.

- TRUNK FOLLOW/'Be No. 304,772. Patented Sept. 9,1884.

N. PETERS Fnuwmhugnphar, washington. 0.a

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMASl W. ADAMS, OF BIG RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

TRUNK-p-FOLLOWER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 304,772, dated September 9, 1884.

Applicationliled July 9, 1884.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, TrroMAs W. ADAMS, of Big Rapids, in the county of Mecosta and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Trunk-Followers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,

clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in adjustable followers for holding the contents of trunks, packingboxes, te., in place, and is especially de signed for use when the trunk is but partially filled with clothing, so that in traveling its contents are not shaken up and displaced by the rough handling to which trunks are ordinarily subjected by what are usually termed baggage-smashers.

The invention consists in the peculiar construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, as more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

The drawing represents a perspective view of the inside of a trunk with my improved follower in position. y

In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification, A represents an open trunk, to the inner walls of which and to opposite sides thereof are secured the rackbars B in pairs, as shown.

C represents the ordinary spring-bolts of commerce, secured to the top of the follower board or frame, in such position that theyy will be coincident with the rack-bars when the follower is in position, and be adapted to engage with such rack-bars. The inner ends of such bolts are secured together in pairs, as shown, by means of the handle-bar D, by means of which the bolts are disengaged from the rack-bars, and each pair operated simultaneously, and the follower E can be lifted when desired. v

In practice, the follower E is removed from (No model.)

the trunk, which is now partially filled with clothing or other articles, which it may be desired to pack. The follower is then laid upon the top of the articles so packed, and pressed down when the spring-bolts will engage with rack-bars, and hold the contents of the trunk in position, no matten, how many times it may be turned topsy-turvey.

I am aware of Patent No. 27 2,961, and make no claim to the construction shown therein, as I deem my invention as essentially different therefrom and an improvement thereon.

I consider the use of rack-bars a great improvement over the perforated strips heretofore employed, for where the perforated strips are used in pushing the follower down the springs on the bolts will push the same into the first holes in the strip, from which they must be withdrawn before pushing the folg` lower any farther into the trunk, whereas by the use of my rack-bars the teeth of which are inclined-that is, they have an inclined side and thena horizontal one, then an incline and so on-by pressing on the follower the Y bolt rides over the incline and is caught by the horizontal side ofthe tooth, and a continued pressure on the follower will force it still farther down without the necessity of withdrawing the bolts by hand. I also deem it important that each pair of bolts be connected, so as to be operated simultaneously.

What I claim as my invention is- The combination of a box or trunk, having rack-bars secured in pairs to the opposite inner walls thereof, witha follower board or frame, having spring-bolts secured thereto in pairs, and each pair of such springbolts secured together by means of ahandle-bar whereby each pair of bolts may be operated simultaneously, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

THOMAS IV. ADAMS.

Witnesses:

FRANK M. J AMES, SETH A. PLOUGH. 

